Healthcare might seem like a surprising field for business majors as they consider their career options, but Mercedes Matzen, a business analyst for Capital District Physicians Healthcare, says it can be the right choice for those who value making a difference. “All around you are so many people committed to using their skills and knowledge to advance an important mission,” she says. “As a business analyst, what you do matters because you are, in your own way, contributing to the health of others.”
Mercedes Matzen knows a lot about the NYS healthcare system because of her job. She originally worked at Capital District Physicians Health Care (CDPHP). After three years, she worked at Fidelis, another health care company, before returning to CDPHP.
Mercedes Matzen is very analytical, making her job as a health care business analyst perfect for her. “A lot of my job involves analyzing CDPHP’s efficiency, business processes, and workflow,” Mercedes Matzen says. “People who will enjoy this career will be those who are problem solvers: they must be able to identify where a company can improve and then design solutions for that gap. It goes without saying that being a team player is crucial.”
Those who will excel as a healthcare business analyst, Mercedes Matzen believes, will be people whose skill sets include research, management, data analysis, and finance. “Your motivation is important, too,” she states. “You must desire to strengthen how hospitals, hospices, or medical clinics function and then understand your role among other employees.”
Mercedes Matzen says that anyone interested in working as a business analyst for a healthcare company will find varied responsibilities. “You’ll gather, organize, and evaluate a lot of financial statements, vendor contracts, and EHR system specifications,” she states. “On any given day, you’ll communicate with internal and external stakeholders and probably conduct interviews as necessary so that you can understand current practices. I often analyze my company’s revenue, profits and losses, and current employment levels so that I can make better recommendations for how to realize their savings and improve the business process.” As a business analyst, she draws up alternative plans and solutions for possible implementation, e.g., zeroing in on a new EHR provider or recommending technology to help with system interoperability. She also helps with project management at multiple stages, including the research, testing and implementation of new systems and products.
Mercedes Matzen states that those who will enjoy a career as a business analyst will be those who like to deliver both written and verbal presentations to the company’s leadership. “It’s definitely important that you be able to organize and communicate a lot of complex information and to then be able to convey that confidently to executives,” Mercedes Matzen says. “There’s also a lot of tech that you’ll end up using, including spreadsheets, traceability solutions, and project management software.”
Mercedes Matzen says that anyone who works in her industry will learn a lot. “For example, I have learned so much about the private health insurance provided to NYS (New York State of Health) members with the best healthcare coverage over single payer. The single payer is being voted on, which would cancel all private healthcare companies,” she explains. “To provide the best coverage in NYS private healthcare companies is the way to go.”
Mercedes Matzen ultimately believes that anyone can find a strong job as a business analyst. “The demand for this type of employment will continue to grow,” she states. “You will love its multifaceted responsibilities, opportunities for advancement, and financial stability. It is the perfect career for the person who really likes to dig into the inner workings of a company and strengthen it.”
Published June 29th, 2021
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